housing + transportation decision-maker scorecard · elementary school is less than 0.5 miles (a...

Decisionmaker Scorecard 1

Housing + Transportation

Decision-maker Scorecard

LINK Houston advocates for a robust and equitable trans-portation network so that all people can reach opportunity.

(713) 353-4604 www.LINKHouston.org

Decisionmaker ScorecardDecisionmaker Scorecard 32

Site SelectionGeographic Access

1. Is the affordable housing site near the following important places? Circle one per row

Elementary school is less than 0.5 miles (a 10-minute walk)

Middle school is less than 1 mile (a 20-minute walk)

High school is less than 1.5 miles (a 30-minute walk)

Park or greenspace is less than 0.25 miles (a 5-minute walk)

Childcare or daycare is less than 0.5 miles (a 10-minute walk)

Fresh food grocery is less than 0.5 miles (a 10-minute walk)

Pharmacy is less than 1 mile (a 20-minute walk)

Healthcare is less than 2 miles (a 40-minute walk)

Community center/library is less than 1 mile (a 20-minute walk)

Note: Use an online tool, such as Google Maps, to identify the walking time between the site and each type of destination. The approximate walking times in the question above include delays at intersections and dealing with varying walking conditions. Please also note that while proximity to opportunities is important, it does not speak to a person’s experience or the quality of transportation from the site to the opportunity itself. Other sections of the tool inquire about other important aspects of quality for people who are walking, biking and riding transit.

2. What is the site’s Walkscore.com result? (visit www.walkscore.com) Circle one per row

Walk Score is greater than 60 out of 100

Transit Score is greater than 60 out of 100

Bike Score is greater than 60 out of 100

3. Is the site’s CNT AllTransit score higher than 7 out of 10? (visit alltransit.cnt.org)

ProjectStage(s) Scored

Site Location __________________________________________ __________________________________________

Affordable housing near opportunities to remove the need for people to travel far for all needs; free-ing up time and money

Centrality, destinations, utility, feasibility

GOAL

VALUES

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

SCORE: NUMBER OF YESES OUT OF 13

Site Improvement & Use

Planning and design

Site Selection

Site visit and mapable analysis to compare potential sites

/13

Affordable transportation

is high-quality for

individuals when it pro-

vides geographic access

to opportunities and is

multimodal, timely, prac-

tical, dignified, accessi-

ble, safe and low cost.

Affordable transportation

is high-quality for

neighborhoods when

it improves health, the

environment, community

conditions and advances

equity.

This scorecard is an assessment tool to ensure affordable housing exists with affordable transportation options and that both are high-quality.

All people need quality housing they can afford and the ability to access a variety of opportunities outside their home— education, employment, shopping, recreation, etc. Transportation is the connec-tion between home and outside opportunity. Ideally, quality affordable housing will be near everything residents need and desire. Though the reality is that even the best-planned affordable housing endeavor cannot be near all opportunities.

Therefore, the availability and quality of affordable transportation, such as walking, biking, riding transit, or carpooling, must be consid-ered when determining if housing is truly affordable.

High-quality, affordable transportation near affordable housing enables people to get to the places they need to go regardless of means, ability, or circumstances — such as when someone else needs the fami-ly car, the car breaks down or is flooded, or to save money.

Use the Housing + Transportation Decision-maker Scorecard to im-prove practice at your organization by:

• Selecting better sites through early consideration of the quality of affordable transportation.

• Increasing functionality of affordable housing by evaluating and implementing transportation improvements.


Travel Options Time

9. Are there stops for two or more transit routes/lines within a ½ mile?Note: Multiple transit services mean greater access to opportunity in several directions

Support freedom of movement by prioritizing a variety of viable affordable transportation options on-site and to off-site destinations to reduce the need to own a car in order to live a full life

Affordable transportation that is timely, speedy and re-liable (on-time) so people can plan activities with their time and maximize their time as they choose

Multimodality, flexibility, connections, freedom, true choice, customization, control

Efficiency, speed, persistence, punctuality, reliability, timeliness, frequency, coordination

GOALGOAL

VALUES VALUESSCORE: NUMBER OF YESES OUT OF 20


/20 /8

4. Are sidewalks generally present on both sides of streets around the site?

11. Is transit service frequent at the nearest stop or station on weekdays? Circle one per row

The stop has peak-hour service at 7 a.m. that comes every 15 minutes or faster

The stop has midday service at noon

The stop has off-peak service at 7 p.m. that comes every 30 minutes or faster

The stop has evening service after 9 p.m.

YES NO

5. Is the nearest transit stop within a ¼ mile?

7. Is there a continuous, even, and accessible sidewalk from the site to the transit stop?

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

6. What are the amenities at the transit stop? Circle one per row

Real-time sign

Shelter

Bench

Trash bin

Concrete pad

8. Do most of the street intersections that must be crossed to get from the site to the transit stop have the following? Circle one per row

Traffic signals for cars

Traffic signals for pedestrians

Marked crosswalks

Concrete pad

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

12. Does transit service at the nearest stop or station operate on WEEKENDS and HOLIDAYS? Circle one per row

The stop has peak-hour service at 7 a.m. that comes every 15 minutes or faster

The stop has midday service at noon

The stop has off-peak service at 7 p.m. that comes every 30 minutes or faster

The stop has evening service after 9 p.m.

Note: Transit frequency varies by time of day and between weekdays and weekends

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

10. Is the site near the following transportation options? Circle one per row

Bus stop is less than 0.25 miles (a 5-minute walk)

Rapid transit (light rail or rapid bus) is less than 0.5 miles (a 10-minute walk)

Transit center or park-and-ride is less than 1 mile (a 20-minute walk)

High-comfort bikeway or off-street trail is less than 0.5 miles (a 5-minute ride)

Bike service station (i.e., pump, tools) is less than 0.25 miles (a 3-minute ride)

Bikeshare (i.e., BCycle) is less than 0.5 miles (a 10-minute walk)

Carshare service (i.e., Zipcar) is on-site or immediately adjacent

Ridesharing/taxi pick-up, drop-off point on-site or immediately adjacent

Note: Use an online tool, such as Google Maps, to identify the walking time between the site and each type of transportation

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

Site Improvement + UseDignity & Practicality Potential

Partnership

Experience dignity through an improved built environment and affordable transportation options that are well-organized, easily understood and use technology strategically

Infrastructure, budget priority, customer service, care, compassion, respect, simplicity, ease, organization, convenience, technology, ability to multitask, sensible, awareness

GOAL

VALUES SCORE: NUMBER OF YESES OUT OF 14

/14

13. Are walking and biking connections to public streets, trails and bikeways prominent and clear? YES NO


14. Did you explore options to provide additional pathways for walking or biking on-site and nearby?

15. Are multiple access points to the site provided specifically for people walking or rolling?

16. Are walk, bike or roll access points located to provide logical, shortest- distance access to public sidewalks and transit stops?

17. Are walk, bike or roll access points to the site functional for both entering and exiting the site?

YES NO

Note: Such as paths on drainage or utility easements

Note: Multiple access points provide people the option to avoid driveways or going far out of their way

21. Is the bike rack clearly visible or have wayfinding signage to its location?

23. Do residents receive information about transportation options in their welcome packet?

24. Are informational resources about transportation available on-site? Circle one per row

Printed schedules, map, and/or how-to-ride guide

Digital kiosk/screen

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

25. Will there be co-sponsored events and challenges offered for residents to simplify the experience of using affordable transportation and increase comfort in trying new ways of getting around?

Note: Such as an information session held in partnership with transportation providers explaining available transportation options

YES NO

YES NO

19. Is the main entrance to buildings also the clearly marked, best entrance for people who walk or bike?

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

18. Are on-site walk, bike, or roll routes intuitive and never blocked by vehicles?

20. Is there a bike rack that is secure and has lighting?

22. Is storage space available to residents that can accommodate a bike? YES NO

Accessibility PotentialPartnership

Comfortably accessible to all people in all geogra-phies, regardless of ability

Reachable, self-sufficiency, comfort, independence

GOAL


/11

26. Are all sidewalks on-site and immediately adjacent to the site accessible (i.e., ADA compliant)? YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

27. Is the likely, most direct walk/roll path to the nearest transit stop accessible (i.e., ADA compliant)?

28. Is street storm drainage adequate to prevent standing water and collection of mud and sharp debris at curb ramps?

Note: Sharp objects and mud are a real safety concern for people rolling, in any weather condition

29. Does the nearest transit stop have a shelter, seating and concrete pad for boarding and alighting transit?

30. Does the nearest transit stop have a shelter, seating and concrete pad for boarding and alighting transit?

YES NO

31. Does the nearest transit stop have audible or visual real-time information?

32. Is there an accessible ridesharing/taxi pick-up/drop-off point on-site?

33. Are there entrance(s) for accessible vehicles (e.g., METROLift, accessible vans) to drop off customers in front of buildings?

34. Is the main entrance to buildings also the clear, best entrance for a person rolling?

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO


38. Do streetlights illuminate public sidewalks while leaving no significant shadows?

36. Are the substantive elements of any outstanding Pedestrian Accessibility Reviews (PARs) and 3-1-1 requests addressed, whether by the local government alone or through partnership?

YES NO

YES NO

SafetyUser Cost

Health & Environment

PotentialPartnership



Street infrastructure that encourages safety and mitigates issues for all people using the road, in-cluding those relying on affordable transportation options

Transportation that is budget-friendly while pro-viding people with needed access to opportunities

Affordable transportation options that promote healthy, active living and improve on-site and neigh-borhood environments

Respect, responsibility, cautious, person-focused, protection Affordability, budget-conscious, realistic

Quality of life, wellbeing, physical activity, rejuvenating, healthcare, climate, sustainability, functional, duty, joy, public art, beauty, accomplishment, enlightenment, shelter, cleanliness

GOALGOAL

GOAL

VALUESVALUES

VALUES

SCORE: NUMBER OF YESES OUT OF 14 SCORE:

NUMBER OF YESES OUT OF 4


/14/4

/8

37. What is the nature and condition of crosswalks around the site? Circle one per row

Crosswalks have a highly visible design

Crosswalk markings are well-maintained

Streetlights illuminate the whole crosswalk

Pedestrian signal provides adequate crossing time

A leading pedestrian interval gets pedestrians crossing first

Note: A leading pedestrian interval means people walking get a signal first and start crossing before cars

45. Will residents have the option for any of the following cost-reducing incentives? Circle one per row

Transit incentive (i.e., fare card, discounted passes, etc) Note: Such as residents receiving a METRO Q-card with a starting value or reload value each month

Bikeshare incentive Note: Such as a BCycle membership for residents and on-site or nearby station or bikes available to sign out

Carshare incentive Note: Such as hourly/daily carshare available on-site and discounted for low-income residents

Parking cost decoupled from housing cost Note: Decoupling parking can lower cost for tenants that do not need parking

YES NO

YES NO

40. Does transit service at the nearest stop or station operate on WEEKENDS and HOLIDAYS? Circle one per row

Street designs calm traffic to naturally reduce travel speed

Streets with medians provide a refuge in the middle

Bikeways are clearly marked and physically protected

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

39. Does on-site lighting illuminate walk/bike/roll entrances and connecting paths?

43. Does the ground-floor facade of multi-story buildings have a high percentage of transparency (aka fenestration)?

44. Do people maintain control of their pets and are stray dogs managed?

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

41. Has a study of motor vehicle crashes around the site been completed and have the identified enhancements been incorporated into the project?

42. Are policies and laws consistently enforced (e.g., school zones, parking, drivers yielding to people walking or rolling)?

YES NO

YES NO

35. Does on-site signage and wayfinding help all residents and visitors understand walk, bike and roll access is a priority and respected? YES NO

46. Are buildings LEED® certified and/or is site infrastructure Envision® certified? YES NO


56. Does the mix of businesses nearby create the opportunity for people to connect and have nearby opportunities?

57. Can people walking, biking or rolling enter and exit the site at locations of likely travel paths to nearby businesses?

58. Will the development improve an existing challenge identified in a community plan? NOT APPLICABLE YES NO

Note: Many types of community plans exist that describe challenges and community-desired improvements, such as the City of Houston’s Complete Communities or Houston-Galveston Area Council’s Livable Centers plans. Two examples of existing challenges that affordable housing and affordable transportation may address: (1) spurring permanent improvements to transit-service frequency in a traditionally disinvested area to connect to a fresh grocer or community college or (2) bringing opportunity to where legacy residents are now, instead of forcing them to find affordable housing in a different high-opportunity area.

Dignity & Practicality

Accessibility

Safety

User Cost

Health & Environment

Community & Equity

Site Improvement and Use Score

/14/11/14/4/9/4

/56

Community & Equity PotentialPartnership

Improve how people connect to places, provide op-portunities to engage with other people and prioritize people using affordable transportation options, resulting in a redistribution of benefits traditionally provided to car-reliant households

Support, engagement, people, family, connecting with people, integration, balance, equitable, equality, fairness, justice

GOAL


/5

Geographic Access

Travel Options

Time

Site Location Score

/13

/20

/8

/41

TOTAL SCORE /97

47. Is information provided to tenants/owners about developer values regarding healthy living and how the site prioritizes active/affordable transportation?

48. Is the transition from housing/site to the public street seamless and inviting?

49. Are there shorter blocks and a grid network (streets & paths) to encourage walking?

50. Is on-site vegetation used to reduce noise, improve air quality and provide shade to people and buildings along walking and biking paths?

51. Is vegetation maintained so as not to impede walking/rolling access?

52. Is there access to green space (on-site or nearby) that allows programming (children, intergenerational, celebrations)?

53. Does public space with community character, art and/or water features exist?

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

YES NO

54. Does community space for meeting or gathering exist on-site?

55. Have you consulted with community members and residents about the potential housing development?

YES NO

YES NO

Score Summary(sum of value “yes” totals)

Decisionmaker Scorecard12

AARP

Avenue CDC

BakerRipley

BikeHouston

Change Happens! CDC

Chinese Community Center

Covenant Community Capital

Credit Coalition

Debra Walker

Fifth Ward CRC

Greater Houston Fair Housing Center

Greater Houston Partnership

Greater Northside Management District

Harris County Housing & Community Development Department

Harris County Transit

HOME Coalition

Houston Area Urban League

Houston Bike Share

Houston Habitat for Humanity

Houston Housing Authority

Houston Housing Finance Corporation

Houston ISD

Houston LISC

Houston Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities

Houston METRO

AcknowledgmentsLINK Houston gratefully acknowledges the following organizations and individuals who vol-

unteered their time, experience, and passion to collaborate to create the scorecard as part of

LINK Houston’s Affordable Housing+Transportation Task Force (in alpha order).

Houston Planning & Development Department

Janis Scott

Lone Star College

Mardie Paige

New Hope Housing

Nour Maher Ghadanfar

On The Road Lending

The Rev. Linda Davis

Rowhouse CDC

Sandra Rodriguez

Sarah Shams

SEIU Texas

SERjobs

Sophie Elsner

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church

Tanya Debose

Tejano Center

Texas A&M Transportation Institute

Texas Children’s Pediatrics

Texas Housers

Texas Organizing Project

The Houston Community Land Trust

Trevor Reichman

Wells Fargo

West Houston Association

Westchase District

LINK HoustonLINK Houston is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that advocates for a robust and equitable transportation network so that all people can reach opportunity. We envision a world in which all people in Houston can easi-ly access not only jobs, but also educational experiences, medical appointments, grocery stores, greenspace, and other important destinations, regardless of their mode of transportation. To make that vision a reality, we support transformative and inclusive policies, systems, initiatives, and infrastructure development that connect people to opportunity by transit, walking, and biking. We move ideas into action through community engagement, research,

and shaping public policy.

Use of TermsThe scorecard avoids the use of technical terminology as much as possible and is intentionally phrased in present tense, in most cases. Please direct any questions to LINK Houston by visiting www.linkhouston.org or emailing [email protected].

housing + transportation decision-maker scorecard · elementary school is less than 0.5 miles (a...

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